MEDIA RELEASE Friday 5 February 2021, 5:00 pm The family of Dwayne Johnstone and the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT have this afternoon welcomed the announcement of a manslaughter charge against a Corrective Services NSW officer. Mr Johnstone was 43 when he was shot and killed outside Lismore Base Hospital on 15 March 2019. He was in the custody of Corrective Services NSW...

MEDIA RELEASE 20 November 2020  The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) has today expressed disappointment at the NSW Budget’s lack of investment in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector and the critical services that Aboriginal people need to thrive.  The 2020-21 Budget includes a $20 million commitment to support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap over the next four years.   ALS CEO Karly Warner said, “Whilst this initial investment in Closing...

MEDIA RELEASE - 10 November 2020 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited has today strongly welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a fully-funded drug and alcohol rehabilitation and detox centre to be established in Dubbo.  ALS CEO Karly Warner said, “We welcome the Government’s announcement of a new rehabilitation centre. We know that without appropriate and timely rehabilitation and adequate diversionary programs, Aboriginal people proactively seeking treatment are forced into the criminal legal system, taken...

Government must act immediately to transform the justice system for Aboriginal people - the time for a Walama Court, accountability and investment in community control is now MEDIA STATEMENT - 3 November 2020   CAPO (Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations) In the past few weeks we have seen the inquest into the death in custody of Nathan Reynolds who died following an...

2 November 2020  The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) continues to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to follow the advice of NSW Health and ACT Health.    Over the past few weeks, we have seen a reduction in COVID-19 cases across the country, as well as low community transmission in NSW and ACT, and strong contact tracing measures in place. As a result, we...

Coroner refers Dwayne Johnstone's death to the DPP MEDIA STATEMENT - 29 October 2020  Statement from Dwayne’s partner Kirsty Pepper, Dwayne’s father George Johnstone and Dwayne’s stepmother Jenny Johnstone: We are very pleased with the outcome of the proceedings so far.We would like to thank Counsel Assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer and the Coroner for their preparation, professionalism and sensitivity.We also note our...

Reynolds Family – Media Statement   MEDIA RELEASE - Wednesday 28 October 2020    On the 1st September 2018, we lost our much-loved brother Nathan Reynolds. He died in custody, after having an asthma attack - just one week before he was due to be released.  On that day, our lives changed forever. Nathan made a lasting impression on everyone he met. He was our brother, but...

Inquest into death of Dwayne Johnstone begins MEDIA RELEASE - 27 October 2020    The coronial inquest into the death in custody of Aboriginal man Dwayne Johnstone commences at Lismore Court House today.   Forty-three-year-old Dwayne Johnstone was shot and killed about 7:30pm on March 15, 2019, in the custody of Corrective Services NSW officers.  “Dwayne was a much-loved partner, son and stepson. He will be remembered by those...

Nathan Reynolds death in custody inquest begins MEDIA RELEASE - 19 October 2020    MEDIA EVENT  WHEN: 9am Monday 19 October 2020 WHERE: NSW State Coroner’s Court – 1A Main Ave, Lidcombe, NSW 2141  WHO: Members of the Reynolds family and representatives from the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT WHAT: Smoking Ceremony, Didgeridoo player and dancing will be followed by members of the Reynolds family reading out a prepared statement and ALS CEO Karly Warner providing comment. The family...